The Martha's Vineyard Coastal Observatory: a long term facility for monitoring air-sea processes

Abstract

The desire to gain a better understanding of coastal processes over the past decade has led to an increased focus on coastal research in the scientific community. As an estimated 50% of humanity lives within 100 miles of a coastline and as national defense initiatives shift towards littoral regions, this interest in coastal processes will continue to grow. The south shore of the island of Martha's Vineyard is an ideal location for the study of the near-shore environment, due to its uninterrupted, south-facing beach with open ocean exposure. This area is frequented by all types of weather systems, including winter storms, hurricanes, and calm summer conditions. The seasonal variations provide a wide range of biological activity as well. To support long-term research in these areas, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI), supported by the National Science Foundation, is currently developing and installing a coastal observatory system on the south shore of the Vineyard in Edgartown, Massachusetts.